By O. Collins
On September 20, Las Vegas Fremomt will redefine its Experience with Lion Fight Promotions (LFP) 11. The biggest thai promotion in America, AXS TV, and the surroundings that are Old Las Vegas make for an event Derrick Stevens is proud of. Stevens, Owner/CEO of The D Hotel & Casino is excited about his company hosting the nationally televised event, and the business it will bring to historic Downtown Las Vegas.
“It will be great for The D and Fremont…the feedback has been great and I expect a sold out crowd.” Having the national exposure is good for all of Downtown,” says Stevens about the benefits of LFP 11.
And even though he is new to muay thai he jumped at the opportunity The D to be spotlighted on Mark Cuban’s AXS TV network that is building an audience for combat sports
He and LFP Owner/CEO Scott Kent met at a previous fight hosted by The D, and the rest as they say…”Scott really liked the venue and thought it would be a great place to stage a LFP card,” Stevens explained.
Stevens, a lifelong fight fan, recalls growing up in Detroit and watching local legends like Tommy
Herns, and other boxing icons who had skill and charisma.
“Boxing will be well served if a few individuals had great personalities, and there were competitive divisions,”says the Motor City native on how the sport can return to its glory. He also believes the sport can co-exist with MMA, who to popular belief has replaced boxing.”There is room for successful boxing as well as MMA, he said.”
“What the Faretti Brothers and Dana White have done with the UFC is spectacular, and its awesome for the city of Las Vegas,” Stevens continued.
The D in The D appropriately means Downtown not Detrroit despite Stevens Motor City Roots. And with LFP 11 and continued success it may also mean Dynamic, which is very opposite that of the once booming Michigan city where he was raised.
“Detroit’s situation is not an overnight thing and comes down to something simple – you can’t guarantee payments without revenue,” he explained about the city’s current decline. Evens so “D” (as his friends call him), still has business there and is ready for The D ( as Michiganers call Detroit) to have a good comeback.
Old Vegas is coming back with the help of Stevens casino that has become a main source of entertainment including; free concerts, celebrity signings. Now it is setting the stage for a possible precursor to be an annual or frequent LFP show. “Whenever you try something new you just never know,” says Stevens while expressing interests in working with Kent again.
